Signs, signs, everywhere a sign: Office remodeling brings banner battle
Dr. Reza Mojtabavi is caught in a battle of banners at MountainView Medical Center next to the hospital in northwest Las Vegas.
One banner shames him for desecrating the American way of life and the other banner says we love him for bringing his internal medicine practice to Las Vegas.
Visitors to MountainView Hospital have expressed concerns to the staff about the "Shame on Dr. Reza Mojtabavi" banner, though the issue has nothing to do with the hospital or the doctor.
What it really comes down to is Carpenters Local 1977 objecting to nonunion labor being employed by Tradewinds Construction to perform $42,000 of tenant improvement work on the doctor's office.
"I told them (union representatives) to take down the sign and put up a 'Shame on Melissa Collier' sign," said Collier, corporate broker and real estate manager for the 198,000-square-foot MountainView Medical Center.
It was Collier's decision to hire general contractor Kittrell Jensen, who then subcontracted with Tradewinds. Kittrell and Tradewinds are reputable companies -- licensed, insured and bonded -- and have performed the majority of tenant improvements at the medical center in the past, she said.
"I signed the contract. I was the decision-maker," Collier said. "For them to come out and say 'Shame on Dr. Mojtabavi' with their wrap, just to attack the physician and attack his livelihood ... he was almost moved to tears. People come in, they don't know what that's about."
MountainView Hospital spokeswoman Amanda Powell said it's "just an unfortunate situation" for Mojtabavi to have his name dragged into the dispute. It's by no means a reflection on his clinical practice and the care he provides his patients.
"This is simply a dispute between the carpenter's union and the subcontractor who was selected by the building's management company for a very small office renovation," Powell said.
"I talked to the Carpenters union until I was blue in the face," Collier said. "There's no reasoning with someone who's unyielding in their stance."
Calls to the Carpenters union for comment were not returned by Friday's deadline.
Warren Hardy, lobbyist for Associated Builders and Contractors of Nevada, said union organizers have embarked on "corporate campaigns" because they haven't been able to recruit new membership through traditional channels with employers.
"Bannering" is a tactic to discredit open-shop contractors, or those who employ nonunion labor, Hardy said. Unions try to pressure clients to get contractors removed from the job by putting up "Shame on You" banners, he said.
He said union labor rates significantly drive up the cost of projects. The Carpenters union allows a reduced wage to paid for light commercial projects under $7 million. Those wages are about $4 to $5 less than prevailing wage.
Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith
@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.
